For every 100,000 teenagers, there will be 3,000 that suffer from mood disorders, and out of this 3,000 there will be 10 who end up committing suicide. Mood disorders may be classified as either Depression or Bi-polar (Manic-depression) syndromes. Bi-polar or Manic-depression may be described by abrupt changes in temperament ranging from euphoria or mania to depression and sadness. Depression, on the other hand, is characterized by despair and prevailing sadness. One suffering from this disorder can very easily become enveloped in one’s feelings. The sufferer having problems functioning in society is characteristic of mood disorder. If experiencing depression, he or she may lose interest in what once gave him or her joy or entertainment. Bi-polar disorder’s swings of mania can significantly affect how those around him or her perceive the afflicted.
Bi-polar disorder splits into two kinds Bi-polar I and Bi-polar II. Bi-polar I is concerned with Major episodes of Depression as well as full episodes of mania. Bi-polar II disorder has to do with Major episodes of Depression and hypomanic episodes. Bi-polar II has been observed to be a step before Bi-polar I.
Both Bi-polar disorder and depression appear to have connections between family members, yet this still does not necessitate the occurrence of the disorder. More importantly, studies have discovered that depression is linked to a chemical imbalance of the brain.
Depression may be characterized by the following: sadness weariness hopelessness gloom appetite changes problems with sleeping feelings of inferiority, guilt, or uselessness incapable of functioning normally within society
The Bi-polar syndrome involves the mentioned symptoms of the depressive state as well as those of the manic state:
additional energy, less sleep easily irritated abrupt changes in mood racing ideas showiness, proud feelings higher sexual drive lack of judgment reckless spending
Diagnosis
Mood disorders such as Depression and Bi-Polar syndrome are diagnosed through the use of extensive checklists or questionnaires like the Beck’s Depression Inventory, Goldbeg Depression/Mania Inventory, or the Young Mania Scale. A full physical exam as well as the patient’s medical history is assessed as well in order to come to terms with the degree of the illness.
Treatment
Mood disorders may be treated with both medication and psychotherapy, depending on the degree of the illness. This may range from mild to severe depression. A teenager may be considered to suffer from mild depression if his or her state affects the teen’s normal functioning by needing more effort to accomplish things. It is considered moderate depression if his or her state keeps the teen from accomplishing these things. And it may be considered severe depression once he or she can not even function normally by not being able to accomplish regular everyday activities.
Medications utilized in treatment of Mood disorders:
Anfaranil
Asendin
Aventyl
Desyrel
Effexor
Elavil
Ludiomil
Norpramin
Pamelor
Pertrofrane
Remeron
Serzone
Sinequan
Surmontin
Tofranil
Vivactil
Wellbutrin
SSRI’s
Luvox
Paxil
Prozac
Zoloft
MAOI’s
Marplan
Nardil
Parnate
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